'Tis the season for class acts

Have fun this winter taking classes or courses.
Fun? Classes?
In the same sentence? Indeed.
You're never too old to learn.
Here are my 10 favorite - and fun - classes to try this winter:
1. Creative chocolate:

My no-longer secret vice? A hit of chocolate just about every day., So, I'm apt to try the chocolate cooking class at A Different Drummer in Northampton.
Well-known cooking gurus Betty Rosbottom of Amherst, coordinator of the cooking school at Different Drummer, and Barbara Morse will teach the class, "Wild About Chocolate" on Feb. 9, just in time for Valentine's Day.
Recipes will include a white and dark chocolate cheesecake and chocolate souffle torte among others. Rosbottom will also teach another course close to my traveling heart, "Trattoria Cooking," on March 9. Both, 6:15 to 9 p.m. at A Different Drummer on Bridge Street.
For a full list of cooking classes, call (413) 586-7978 or go online to www.differentdrummerskitchen.com.

2. Take the stage:
Sure, you love the spotlight. But can you handle it?
At the Springfield Jewish Community Center, a special course, "Becoming a Cabaret Singer," will be offered from Jan. 13 to Feb. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m.
It'll be taught by Jane Schecter, an award-winning cabaret singer herself. The center is located at 1160 Dickinson St.
For more information, call (413) 739-4715 or go online to www.springfieldjcc.org.

3. Not on thin ice:

When I watch figure skating competitions on TV, I seethe with envy. Just need more practice, I say to myself.
Alas, one needs coordination and ankles that don't sway. But if high-stakes axels aren't for you, learn the basics at Cyr Arena in Forest Park in Springfield, where lessons are offered for all levels. Call (413) 787-6438 for more information.
Skating lessons are also offered at Amelia Park, Westfield where you can throw on the blades for all levels of instruction. Call (413) 569.2503 for more information.4. Create your own jewelry:
If you've admired handmade jewelry and want to try it yourself, enmesh yourself in all kinds of glittery beads at Webs, the bead store in Northampton. You can take classes in bead stringing, wiring and much more. Call (413) 413-586-3885 or visit www.websbeads.com for more information.

5. All outdoors:
When cabin fever strikes, get thee out. There are a number of cross-country ski areas in the region, Northfield Mountain among the longest-running.
Classes are offered on the weekend and on weekdays by appointment. Chill, ladies.
For more information, call (800) 859-2960 or visit www.firstlightpower.com.

6. It's in the (tea) leaves:
After you've hung up the skis (or skates) for the day, put to use your knowledge of tea, which you've gleaned from Claire Hopley's "Entertaining with Tea" class at the Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle.
Hmmmm, toasty. The class, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. discusses afternoon and high tea and the many kinds of tea - champagne tea, tango teas, hunting teas and even tea breakfast. Samples, of course, in addition to tea menus for holidays and events.
Information on this class and more are available by calling (413) 263-6800 or going online to www.springfieldmuseums.org.

7. Behind the bar:
Still interested in liquidity?
Springfield Technical Community College has a course on "Bartending for Fun and Profit." It's offered through the college's continuing education division.
The course will begin Feb. 9 and run through March 9 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. An included field trip on a Saturday is a no-brainer.
Need more liquid? Gear up for "Introduction to Yacht Sailing" where you'll learn the basics on the instructor's 32-foot sloop in Narragansett Bay; Thursdays, May 5 and 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.
For information and more course information, call (413) 781-7822 or visit www.stcc.edu.

8. Be a dancing fool:
Once you've torn away from the bar and have your sea legs in order, belly up again.
Several Western Massachusetts communities offer a variety of belly dancing classes, workshops, private and semi-private classes.
Here are a few: Whitney Suter (Mellea), Northampton, (413) 774-5589; Attar, both private lessons and classes, call (413) 325-3967.

At Holyoke Community College, veils are workin' it with the college's "Belly Dancing with Veils" course that begins on Jan. 31 and runs through March 28, 7 to 8:15 p.m. Learn the fundamentals here, as no previous dance experience is necessary. Call (413) 538-7000 or visit www.hcc.edu/ces.

9. Nothing cheesy here:
If you love cheese, why not have fun making your own?
At New England Cheesemaking Supply Co. in Deerfield, a spring class offers a full day of cheesemaking and includes mozzarella, mascarpone, ricotta, queso blanco and much more. Date is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $175. For more information, call (413) 397-2014 or visit www.cheesemaking.com.

10. Feel like dancin'?
No, you don't have to crash a wedding. At the Northampton Center for the Arts, it's dancing Wednesday, a night of fancy footin' that has been going on for more than 10 years.
Various lessons are offered at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. including Lindy Hop and West Coast swing. Lessons are followed by a dance. For more information, call (413) 584-7327 or go online to www.nohoarts.org.

Romola Rigali is a freelance writer. She can be reached at mamamimi30hotmail.com.